A RESIDENTIAL PROVINCIAL CENTER IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN PELOPONNESE, IN GREECE, AND ITS DOMESTIC CULT PLACES
A RESIDENTIAL PROVINCIAL CENTER IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN PELOPONNESE, IN GREECE, AND ITS DOMESTIC CULT PLACES

Summary/Abstract: The harbor town of the Roman times called Kyparissia is located at the southern cove of the homonymous gulf on the western coast of the Peloponnese, in Greece. This is the only natural harbor located along the central – western part of the Peloponnese. The name of the city goes back to the time of the Trojan War and even though the area had a splendid Mycenaean past, the city of the Roman times has only recently been uncovered. Before that, scattered archaeological evidence provided not enough information concerning the daily life and cult activities developed throughout the Roman period. Information is provided by a residential complex - partly excavated- located in the valley, near the ancient (and modern) coastline. The architectural remains comprise a number of dwellings with infant burials built inside the buildings, close to the walls and under the earth floors. The inhabitants were occupied with fishing and agriculture. It was a provincial town, without monumental structures, where the simple way of life dominated. A number of finds provide evidence of domestic cult and others indicate practices of “magic”. The inhabitants were living in the province with certain prejudices about death and life. An attempt to explain certain finds with symbols will take place with a number of interpretations more closely related to historical reality. Rural populations are closer to the traditional roots of religion, because they are isolated from the centers, they are less exposed and more conservatives to new ideas.

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